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'I just couldn't stop crying. I didn't want to believe it'

YAKIMA, Wash.-- 16-year-old Kevin Lopez was an artist, a romantic, and a video game lover before his life was cut short in Grandview. Rubilina Perez was his girlfriend. They'd been dating for six months.

"He was always there for me," said Perez. "He was just always supportive about everything."

Three hours after the accident, she found out her support system was gone by seeing that people had written "RIP" on Kevin's Facebook page.

"I broke down crying and I just couldn't stop crying," she said. "I didn't want to believe it."

When this young life was stolen, so was young love. Despite spending such a short time together, Rubilina says they had plans.

"He gave me his promise ring and he wanted to marry me one day," she said.

The couple hid their relationship from her parents until a short time ago. She didn't keep any pictures of them together because of it. That was going to change this weekend.

"I was supposed to meet his parents this weekend and he was supposed to meet mine," Perez said.

Now she will only have the chance to meet his parents at Kevin's funeral. Like all of his friends and family, she tries to put on a brave face.

"I loved him and I know he's watching over me and everyone else but we all have to be strong for him," she said.